Jeremiah 4:1-2
“If you want to come back, O Israel, you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia and not wander away from me anymore. Then you can say words like, ‘As GOD lives . . . ’ and have them mean something true and just and right. And the godless nations will get caught up in the blessing and find something in Israel to write home about.”
“O Israel,” says the LORD, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.”
My capacity for self-deceit keeps me from turning away from sin with a whole heart. I think I’ve thrown out all that paraphernalia, but then falter, and find out I hadn’t after all. I long to live right and true, so unbelieving friends get caught up in God’s blessings and ignites a rumor mill. I long for the world to be filled with hope and light, healing and seeing. The way there requires ruthless subjection of my inner life to the Lord, every bit of sin stuff gets jettisoned for good.
Lord, I have no hope but you. You alone know how to lead gently but firmly. My inmost heart is laid bare before your eternal eyes. Your surgeon’s touch cuts and sutures, removing sin tumors. Recovery is hard and the tumors reappear. But I believe there will come a point where all is healed and I will be fit for living, loving, and sharing eternity with your dear Son. I bare it all before you my King. Help me walk through this painful but essential process and lay myself bare before you.